A Closer Look At Some Of The UK’s Upcoming Printing Trade Shows

Upcoming Printing Trade Shows in 2025

1. London Art Fair 2025

• Dates: January 22–26, 2025 (Preview on January 21)
• Location: Business Design Centre, Islington, London

For those interested in contemporary and modern art the London Art Fair is a must. There are over 50+ galleries, dealers and artists from all over the world represented therein – a great place to encounter traditional and contemporary printmaking at their intersection. The fair presents established and emerging artists as well as collectors and curators in photography, sculpture and print-based art. Deliberations, tours, and discussions also take place about print in contemporary artistic practice.

2. Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2025

• Dates: February 23–25, 2025
• Location: NEC, Birmingham

UK’s leading event for garment decoration – Printwear & Promotion LIVE! More than 150 suppliers will present new products for embroidery,  screen printing, sublimation,  direct-to-garment (DTG) printing. Expect live demonstrations, see new equipment and hear about new materials and techniques for fashion printing. Look for inspiration or new business contacts – this exhibition gives you insight into the developing garment decoration industry with many exhibitors offering exclusive deals and product launches.

3. Sign & Digital UK 2025

• Dates: February 23–25, 2025
• Location: NEC, Birmingham

Sign & Digital UK is the flagship event for the signage, display, and digital printing sectors. In 2025, the event will feature expanded large-format printing, digital signage and interactive displays this year. Attendees can see new products from digital printers to advanced finishing equipment and hear about the future of digital signage and visual communication. A programme of seminars, workshops and live demonstrations also covers all the latest trends and best practices in print production and display solutions. It provides a networking opportunity with suppliers, customers and industry experts.

4. London Original Print Fair 2025

• Dates: March 20–23, 2025
• Location: Somerset House, London

The London Original Print Fair is a premier event for those interested in high-quality prints. More than 50 galleries exhibit works from Old Master prints to contemporary limited editions. Any student of print history or modern art should attend this event. Printmaking talks, workshops and guided tours are also available alongside the art. Collectors, curators or just print enthusiasts will appreciate the fair’s insight into how original prints are made.

5. FESPA Global Print Expo 2025

• Dates: May 6–9, 2025
• Location: RAI Berlin, Germany

Outside the UK, FESPA remains one of the major international print events. This event will cover textile, screen, digital and 3D printing technologies, equipment and materials. Showcase exhibitors present innovations in sustainable printing, digital textile printing and augmented reality solutions allowing visitors to discover practical applications of these technologies in various industries. Focused on green printing and sustainable production FESPA is the ideal platform for businesses wanting to stay ahead in a dynamic market. It also features educational seminars and networking for printers, designers and manufacturers.

6. PPMA Total Show 2025

• Dates: September 23–25, 2025
• Location: NEC, Birmingham

The PPMA Total Show is the largest exhibition of processing, packaging, and automation machinery and solutions suppliers. For those in the printing sector, it gives insight into packaging design, labelling and printing solutions for improved production efficiency. Topics include robotics and automation, sustainable packaging and printing. With a full program of seminars and product demonstrations, PPMA Total Show lets visitors experience firsthand how the latest technologies can improve business operations.

7. Professional Beauty London 2025

• Dates: March 2–3, 2025
• Location: ExCeL London

Focused on the beauty sector but relevant to the printing industry as well, Professional Beauty London also attracts key players from the packaging and branding sectors. The event will show new trends in beauty packaging design and custom printing solutions for cosmetics and personal care products. Visitor will discover new packaging designs, digital printing technologies for branding and sustainable beauty practices. It also features a huge selection of beauty products, tools and equipment for networking with colleagues from the beauty and printing industries.

Why Exhibitions Are One Of The Most Important Marketing Tools At Your Disposal

Exhibitions offer a unique opportunity for businesses not only to showcase their own ideas and accomplishments but also to discover what’s new in the sector and also to create valuable networking connections.

It’s clear to see that in the modern world that is connected internationally, marketers and advertisers have shifted towards the digital environment in a big way, oftentimes making it the basis of their unlimited and wide-reaching strategies.

It’s evident that digital outlets are one of the most cost-effective options to broadcast your message to the masses and reach your determined target audiences. No matter the hour of day or night, around the clock you can be targeting potential sales and leads in a bespoke and tailored manner, getting your brand in front of millions of people via their screens on a daily basis.

However, while this has many positives, interacting with people in terms of engagement potential then digital interactions are faceless for the most part, and can’t compete with an actual person to person interactions that people are craving in this ever-separating society. This is why exhibitions are perhaps the greatest way to connect with your peers, both suppliers, distributors, resellers and also the end-users in a better way.

Did you know that exhibitions and shows have the potential to:

1. Draw customers and leads directly to you
2. Let customers see your products and services in real-life
3. Gain a better understanding of your brand and offerings
4. Expand their knowledge of your other sales channels
5. Allow you to meet lots of people who are actually interested in your product
6. Create unique business collaborations and enhance lead generation
7. Connect with your potential customers on a deeper level

Here are just a few statistics to show you just how important trade shows and exhibitions can be for your business:

1. Face-to-face interactions are valued by 87% of those who are marketers
2. 4 out of 5 visitors who attend are responsible for purchasing goods and services
3. Nearly three-quarters of visitors have the intention to make purchases right there and then or in a short space of time afterwards
4. The average time someone spends at an exhibition is between 5-6 hours
5. Around 10% of a marketing budget is dedicated to trade shows but can generate more than 20% in returns

Whilst it may seem like it may be just a bit of fun to attend a show or expo out of curiosity to see what is going on in your industry, many people can neglect the fact that these exhibitions print are in fact a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal and should not be dismissed so easily.

This kind of marketing channel is ‘experiential’ – a great opportunity to engage and motivate your target audience. People in attendance at shows like this have a desire to be there, a strong urge to connect with people interested in the same field they are in, and they are in a state of mind which can influence purchasing decisions to your advantage.

Your Guide To Creating A Marketing Plan For Exhibitions And Trade Shows

To gain success at trade shows and exhibitions, you need to prepare in advance to make the most of this opportunity. You need to pay attention to various aspects of the strategy such as where your stand will be located, the actual design of the stand to attract and build interest, what kind of exhibition services are needed, and of course the choice of services and selected products you will be displaying.

Five important steps you need to take before you head off to an exhibition

Create goals and targets

The first step is to think about what you are hoping to get out of the exhibition. You may want to produce a specific amount of sales, expose yourself to a new type of market or consumer, or just use the event to make decent connections through targeted networking. Whatever your goals are, be sure to keep them realistic and that the outcomes expected are understood by your entire team so you can make a unified effort to achieve them.

Set your budget, and stick to it

Take a look at your company finances and see how much you are realistically able to dedicated to taking part in the exhibition or trade show. This ties into your first step which is to set the goals you have in mind, so determine how much you are willing to shell out in order to get the right return for your investment in this endeavour. Conduct a breakdown so you can see what is going to be spent where and if it’s worth it. Some companies can spend up to 40% of their annual budget for marketing on such B2B shows and expos, which may seem a lot but you need to remember that this has the potential to be your best shot to conduct physical marketing when the rest of the year it takes place online only.

Assemble your perfect team

There’s no use in making the best plans only for them to be ruined by a less than knowledgeable team member who cannot engage and win over potential clients and customers who visit your stand. A great idea is to have a mock show one morning or afternoon before the big day, as it will help you to see who exactly has what it takes to hold their own at the stand and represent your company and brand in the best possible light.

Find the best exhibition stand

With many designs out there, you need to find the best exhibition stand that will work for your needs. You may look to have a smaller pop-up stand or go big with a specially designed eye-catching design. Extra services may also be needed such as transporting the stand, installing it and then disassembling it once the exhibition is over. Bespoke pop up exhibition stands are great for grabbing attention, but if you only have a small budget then you should opt for a smaller, yet no less effective stand.

Remember the aftercare

If someone was interested in your products or services but wants to chat with their company first, then keep their name and phone number to follow up on these hot leads. Don’t badger them, but a gently worded email or a phone call is enough to keep your name and company in their minds and may be enough to secure you that sale that would have otherwise fallen through.

10 Ways To Avoid Your Trade Show Exhibition Stand Flopping

Huge investments are made in trade shows because of the potential they have to generate significant contracts and purchases from interested parties. You don’t want to let your stand flop because of some simple and avoidable errors.

Check out our top 10 ways to make your stand a success

1. Choosing the wrong style of the exhibition is costly, make sure that it aligns with your marketing goals and expected outcomes from the exhibition. Do some research and choose the right exhibitions that will put you in the best position to generate real sales and positive leads.
2. Don’t give mixed messages to your potential customers. Ensure that the message is on point, and that your message, brand, product and service come across exactly how you want to be perceived. Know your target audience or client and direct your message directly at them.
3. Try not to be too complacent and think that everyone at the event automatically knows what you do and what you are offering. Your sales pitch needs to be accurate and this needs to be backed up with all the proper stand materials to make sure you are engaging potential clients.
4. Have clear goals, plans and a desired outcome from the exhibition event. Whether it’s just leads and contact information you’re gathering, or if you’re planning on securing a number of sales then make sure that the whole team knows what the end goal of attending the exhibition is.
5. Select your target audience carefully, don’t just aim to appeal to everyone who passes by your stand. You have to know who you are there to speak to and make important connections with. Make sure your exhibition stand is created to highlight exactly who you need to attract.
6. Promote your event in advance to let people know where you are going to be and when. This gives them the chance to make plans to attend and boosts the number of people who are there specifically to discuss your products and services instead of being drawn away by competitors.
7. Avoid a bad first impression at all costs. Impressions can be made in a split second, and if you’ve put no thought or effort into your pop up stand then it’s going to give the feeling to potential clients that this is how you run your business as a whole.
8. Get social media up and running prior to the event. Live Stream the event on your Facebook page or on Periscope to show the world where you are and that you are engaged. Have someone specific man the accounts that day to make sure you’re being seen and heard.
9. Always conduct follow-ups of those people who you made connections with at the event. Don’t let leads slip through your fingers for the simple act of not sending out a quick email, text message or phone call to those who gave you their contact details out of genuine interest.
10. Take the time after the exhibition has finished to conduct an evaluation of your performance. What did you get right? What went wrong? What needs to be improved for the next event? Did you meet your goals for your exhibition? Did you receive a decent ROI from the exhibition?

Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your potential at the next exhibition show in your sector!

Choosing The Right Marketing Materials For Your Exhibition

When it comes to putting your best foot forward at an exhibition, then a large part of this comes down to the quality of your stand and the marketing materials you have on offer. This is a unique and perhaps once-per-year experience that is going to allow you to make great networking connections that are at the exhibition for the very purpose to meet people like you.

Whether you have a full exhibition counter or a smaller pop-up exhibition stand with supporting shell scheme graphics, this is a prime opportunity to get your brand out there and generate interest in a way like no other.

Generate interest before the show

Whether it’s sending an email or letters to people you think may be interested in attending along with a specially designed event invitation, or picking up the phone and inviting them in person, you need to do everything you can in the run-up to the event to make your attendance known.

People love to receive relevant brochures in the post outlining your offerings along with an invitation or printed event ticket to give them time to plan their attendance in advance, making it more likely that they will in fact attend.

In your business or in the local areas of interest you can put up posters or even create a pavement sign to signal to locals that you will be attending the event, planting it in their memory for a later date.

Selecting the right printing style

Every business and brand is unique in their style, whether it be font choice or colour that represents you best. When you collaborate with a printing company that is making you a single tension banner or fabric display, or creating you a large and bespoke exhibition display bundle pack to boost your image, you need to make sure that your company is being accurately represented.

Don’t be afraid to say exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s a certain style of laser cutting or foiling that you’ve seen from competitors, or if you would like a more upmarket paper or card for your business cards, flyers or leaflets that you intend to hand out at the event.

Seize the opportunity

For many businesses, an exhibition or trade show is the ultimate opportunity to allow their company to take a step ahead in their industry. Why not go the distance and create something truly spectacular that will leave people at the exhibition with a lasting memory of you that could translate into sales down the line? You have the power to customise every aspect of your marketing at the event, you can even create loyalty cards for repeat customers as an incentive to buy from you again and again.

Everything from roller banners and sign boards to flags and brochures can all be created in the style you want, and that portrays your brand in the best light to prospective clients and resellers. Design companies love to please, and you can be sure you’re in good hands from the initial design stage to final delivery when you choose a reputable design service for your exhibition’s marketing materials.

No matter what budget you have for attending your next exhibition, you can be sure to find something suitable for your company here at VC Print. We have the experience and knowledge from a dedicated team that wants to see you achieve your potential at the next expo or trade show – we’re here to make it happen for you!